Saturday, March 10, 2007

To live or die that is the question?

We've learned quite the lessons over the past few months when it comes to life insurance.

Just a few weeks ago we looked to increase Margot's life insurance through State Farm since she's the one who makes the main source of income we figured that we should probably increase so that if anything ever happened Graem and I would be taken care of financially.

They sent out a nurse to do a physical and although Margot's physically fit and we thought she'd be eligible for non-smoker insurance and non-medical insurance - she wasn't!

They want to charge $405 per year for a 31 year old to have $200,000 worth of coverage all because she has asthma! It's not like her asthma is severe or life threatening.

To say the least we passed on the offer. However, one option that we are looking at is through FinancialOne.com. They offer an easy to use website and you can search for policies right on the front page.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Go with the pros.

When I set up my website for my business I had no idea what in the world I was doing. Margot got it hooked up on the search engines. But I'm not even sure that it actually comes up!

I ended up not getting any business from it - due to the fact that it wasn't getting exposure for the right words.

San Diego SEO helps with web exposure. They can market your website like no other business can and find those hot links that will get you tons of exposure to your online website.

A little money towards your business could go a long way. If you're going to invest in a website and getting it up and running...make sure that people can find it!

Hire a good SEO company to market your product effectively.

Gotta love a good shrinkage.

Well, we haven't been to our couples therapist in a month or so and it's due time. We missed our last appointment because we forgot. OOPS.

So this time we both had it on our calendars and thank heavens we remembered!

I'm not sure having a session on a Friday afternoon is a great idea. It means that we can be pretty miserable with each other all weekend long - or - have a great weekend filled with love and cheer.

I hope it's the latter!

I've been Grokodiled!

There's this great new directory that I just added my website too! You know that the internet is all about connections and I'm constantly looking for new ways to market my websites.

So check out the newest blog directory Grokodile.

I like the fact that it's sorted by region and so I signed up for Ithaca, of course. But I can also view other blogs from the Ithaca area.

You can check out my listing here. Give it for for ME!

This post sponsored by: http://www.grokodile.com/

*Bang*Bang* I stunned you.

We are a non-gun owning family. Being raised in Texas we always had a gun in the house and there were even times when my mother slept right next to her gun. (I know trashy).

When I moved up here I wasn't ultra conservative and surrendered my spurs and gun at the door. I've never felt the need to have a gun and always figured I could kick anyone's butt with my baseball bat. (Yeah right.)

The perfect compromise, however, might be a stun guns. Stun guns come in different shapes and sizes and the reality is that they could do some pretty serious short-term damage to a predator.

With Margot working late and me being home late at night...there are times when it can be quite scary. Just the other night as I was walking down to the bathroom I kept thinking of all of the people that I fired at Alterra and how anyone of them could come after me!

A good cup of Joe.

I've never been a coffee lover...til now.

When I gear up for a cycle I try to be coffee-free. But when I realize it's a bust...I go crazy and I have to have coffee running in my veins throughout the day.

I love the taste, the texture, and the way it makes me feel.

Do I sound like an addict?

I've actually learned how to appreciate a good strong cup of black coffee without sugar or cream. I did this out of necessity of course because I was too damn lazy to go to the fridge and get milk and sugar.

Thank the good Lord and the Colombians for coffee!

Hook a sista up!!

Our iPod is an old school one. It's HUGE compared to the smaller and newer iPods out there and doesn't have color!

That's why I think we need a new one. We would be more than happy to donate our iPod to Grammy and put all of her Backyardigans, Barney, and Sesame Street music on it.

Even after a hard day of working I'm going to hop onto iPodSweepstakes.com and try to win a new iPod.

Get a Free iPod from iPodSweepstakes.com Now!

I figure they've given away more than 3,000 iPods so far...what's one more, right?

This post sponsored by: iPodSweepStakes.com

I hate it when...

I go to an online vendor and I find everything I'm looking for, the price is perfect, but the second I go to put it in the shopping cart either the site stops or there's an error message!

Most times I don't go any further with that company and end up going to another website, paying a little bit more, and buying the same product.

I think all companies should invest in good shopping cart software! If you aren't able to check out the items that you've purchased --- as an online company you might as well take down your website and stop doing business!

AShop.com.au offers some great software to help online vendors do business and provide a consistent marketplace for their customer.

CD1 = HELL.

Today I got my period full force. The morning wasn't going too bad and I was going to drop Graem off at school and come home, blog, and clean the house.

Well, I got a call from one of the schools that they were desperate for a sub. So I was suckered in!

I worked from 10am-2pm and got paid $80...so that's a pretty good deal.

Of course, I feel so miserable now and my cramps are killing.

Gold, baby!

I have always preferred gold over silver and it looks like that's what the economy is going to favor this year too!

With the stock market being so unpredictable lately investors are hesitant to feed the economy that way because they don't want to lose money. The best way to go, at least until the stock market stabilizes, is to invest in a stable product.

Gold is one of the oldest products of trade and because of that it has instant value. Every year the demand for gold exceeds the production.

General Metals Corporation is a huge producer of some of the finest gold in the world. The company is a reliable company that is looking to increase investor and potential revenue in the upcoming year.

Right now is the perfect time to buy this stock since it is down a bit. Not only would this be a great buy...but in the next few months I expect to see a short term gain in your investment!

Take a look at this press release:

Gold Expected to Dominate the Investment Horizon, Experts Advise Early Stock Purchases (Reno, NV – March 5, 2007) Traditionally, gold has had an inverse relationship with the stock market. When stocks go up, the price of gold usually falls; when stocks flounder, the price of gold usually skyrockets. Some experts believe it could mean a lot for investors in 2007, because gold is once again catching the eye of the investor. For General Metals Corporation, the news couldn’t come at a better time. “With our plans to begin drilling at Independence Mine, we’re more than thrilled to hear gold is making a comeback,” states company CEO Stephen Parent. “We’re even more excited with our location; it’s a proven producer.” General Metals acquired the Independence Mine in northern Nevada and became a public company last year, trading under the symbol GNLM. Predominantly a silver mine from 1938 to 1987, the Independence Mine is estimated to contain over two million ounces of gold, as well as over two million ounces of additional un-mined silver. As the Independence Mine is essentially an island within Newmont Mining’s Phoenix Mine, the area is already a proven producer. According to Parent, they plan to remove the precious metals in two phases. “Phase one includes our ‘shallow’ targets,” says Parent. “The shallow targets contain less gold, but they’re easily and quickly accessible, which will encourage early cash flow. Phase two is where the majority of our gold will come from. It’s deep mining, but we expect it to produce 1.4 to 2 million ounces of gold.” They expect to produce 20,000 ounces of gold in the first year, 60,000 ounces in the second year and 70,000 ounces in the third year -- approximately $101 million from early estimates. The company also anticipates an additional $1.36 billion to be gained from phase two production. In an effort to increase their mining production, General Metals has recently acquired the Nyinahin Mining Concession in Ghana. Located in one of the most active exploratory areas in the world, this concession shares borders with several major mining companies, including Newmont Mining, Napoli Gold and Dunkwa Continental Goldfields. “Financial experts are predicting gold to play a key role in investor’s profiles during 2007,” adds Parent. “But due to the timely nature, potential investors will need to act quickly in order to maximize their gains.”

This post sponsored by: http://www.generalmetalscorporation.com

Thursday, March 08, 2007

I want to be in Arizona today!

Okay, I'm absolutely sick and tired of the weather in upstate, New York and anywhere would be better than here!

When we were in Las Vegas this summer we ventured over to Arizona and took a look at the Hoover Dam - which is right on the boarder.

Arizona is beautiful and I wouldn't mind actually vacationing there at some point. I'm sure they have Arizona hotels located in a beautiful setting with red rocks and perfect blue sky background!

AZCentral.com offers great information for the native or traveler of Arizona. They have information on hotels, restaurants, and recreation.

Check it out if you plan on going to sunny Arizona anytime soon!

Good Ole Aunt Flo

Decided to make her way to town this morning. That's right. I got my period!

I've decided that I'm not going for my last and final HCG blood test. The reality is --- I'm not pregnant which of course is evidenced by my period!

Plus, I'm a cheap ass and don't want to spend the $20 copay.

Looking for a good Christian companion?

Are you a Christian and just can't seem to find that "perfect" Christian spouse out there?

Have you prayed for God to send him/her to you?

Maybe you just haven't looked in the right place! Online dating offers a new setting for Christian singles to meet their partners.

The website is easy to use and you can even build a profile online and look at other profiles too!

This post sponsored by: ChristianLifeStyle.com

A good game of b-ball.

When we were in Houston last time we saw the Women's Comets play at the Summit. Lucky for us we got awesome tickets a few rows back from the players. We had a great time and it made me miss living in a big city and having professional sports.

As a kid we used to go to Rockets, Astros, and other games in Houston. There was always something going on and we always had tickets!

Of course, now as an adult, I only want to go to a game if I have stellar seats! I will not go to a Yankees game because the only seats you can get your hands on are all nosebleed seats.

If we were ever to go to Miami (where Margot's dad has a condo) we would more than likely want to get Miami Heat Tickets. PremiumSeatsUSA offer some great seats and their prices aren't too bad.

Might as well pay a little bit more and get the seats that you'll enjoy -- than sit in the nosebleed seats and not see what's going on!!

Baby down.

Graem was quite the pip today when I tried to put her down for a nap. I know it's always going to be hard if she gets close to sleeping in the car.

I tried to lay her down on the couch as usual and she kept trying to make excuses to get up out of bed.

Finally, I got her stuffed ducky and she's sleeping soundly after about 20 minutes of excuses and yelling!

Back home.

Well, we ran all of our errands and grabbed McDonalds for lunch. I really wanted to go to Pizza Hut for lunch but as we parked the car in the Pizza Hut parking lot Graem started screaming for McD's...so what the hell. Lunch is lunch.

After lunch we went to my Cardiologist appointment. Everything seems to be fine and Dr. Brand didn't seem too concerned about any of the readings that my pacemaker was giving.

I'm due back in May for another pacemaker check. I have about 6 1/2 more years before my batteries in the good ole pacer need to be replaced.

I love you Mexican food!

When I moved to New York the one thing I sacrificed was the Mexican food that I got in Texas. It was so perfect, greasy, cheap, and delicious! We have two Mexican restaurants in Ithaca and it's just not the same.

One place that I used to love is Taco Cabana. They are a big chain in Texas and they even have a drive through! They had the best tacos and a great salsa bar.

They now offer Mexican Food Catering! If I had an event I needed catering for I wouldn't think twice about having these guys come out and provide services and great food.

By the way...did I mention how delicious their margaritas are too?

Take me back to Texas - NOW!

My aching back.

Yesterday, I went for my lovely massage and today I feel like I've been run over by a mack truck! I'm not sure if she just stretched out the area or if something bigger is going on.

I have the slipped disc issue on L4 and L5 and muscle pain surround the area. Today, my back feels like it's really lose down there and that if I do anything it's going to take me down for the count.

Eat outs.

Okay, so we've been eating out almost every meal. Last night was the first meal that we actually had at home and it was eggs and hot wings. We've got to get some groceries in this house or before you know it we'll be eating butter and tomato paste!

Hmm..I'm sure you can come up with something yummy with those two items.

Peanut, peanut butter, and JELLY.

A few weeks ago many people were affected by the huge peanut butter recall due to salmonella.

Many people suffered damages, pain and suffering, and possible death because corporations did not take specific procautions to make sure that their product was safe and healthy.

If you were involved in the Peanut Butter recall and got sick from the digestion of peanut butter then you should contact attorneys that are currently trying to head up class action lawsuits against ConAgra Foods.

If you are looking for the Peanut Butter recall lawsuit information no further - the case is currently being represented by Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP and Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP.

Be part of the action! If you've suffered don't let these corporate monsters get away with the shortcuts and trying to save money. We trust them every day to provide us with safe and healthy products. They've failed us miserably.

What a great night ...

Last night when Margot came home we had such a nice evening. We hung out, laughed, watched a little television, and played Wii!

It was like old times!

I think lately, we've all been wrapped up in our own little worlds and it's so easy to do with work, and home stuff...

I just love reconnecting and feeling a bond with Margot and Grammy as a family.

No poop in panties!

That's what Graem yells out when she's about to poop! Of course, at that point I make a mad dash for a diaper and try to put it on her as fast as possible!

I think there have only been two poopy accidents in panties and I think the wise thing to do would have been to just throw the panties in the trash!

At some point we've got to encourage or persuade Grammy a little bit more to poop in the toilet --- these 2 year old craps are killers!!

Baby gifts.

It seems like everyone in their grandmother is pregnant. (Excluding me, of course). I have been looking around for the perfect baby shower gifts and have yet to find them. I want something original that the family is going to like - but not too expensive.

One place that offers personalized baby gifts is BabyNest.com. These gifts are perfect if the person has already had the baby and you find out the name and sex.

If you're going to a baby shower and the sex and name is unknown you might want to get them a little something for the shower and then order something personalized after the baby's born.

I really like the hooded towel with the baby's name on it. We received a few when Graem was born and she's still using them! Of course, it would have been really cute to get one with her name on it!

Better get ready!

Today I have a PT appointment at Island Health and Fitness. Then I have to go get bloodwork done and then a Cardiologist appointment at 1:00. On our way home we have to swing by and get medication at the pharmacist.

At least when I'm at PT they have daycare there!

AUGH.

I've been watching the news and it's such bullshit that there are so many parents out there that are beating their children. There was just a segment on how this lady punched her three month old child.

What the hell is wrong with these people?

Busted?

I have a few friends that have been pulled over for DUIs. Both of them got their licenses suspended and had to actually go to a class. I think it's a good thing and I hope that they took the offense seriously.

The thing about DUI that I think is unfair is that all judges and courts have different stipulations and punishments. It just depends on who your attorney is, how good of a job they do, and how much money you have!

There are many San Diego DUI Attorneys - but when it comes to something like a DUI you really want a firm that specializes in DUI/DWI. Liberty Lawyers have provided legal services for thousands of people who have had DUIs and DWIs. They know the in's and out's and are able to provide you with the very best legal information available.

Check out their website. It has some really useful information that could save you from getting your license suspended.

Bad Me.

So I was suppose to stay on my meds Monday and Tuesday night and go for another HCG blood test Wednesday. Well, I haven't been too good at that and neither Monday or Tuesday did I do the injections.

Yesterday I didn't get the bloodwork done either! I figure I'll go this morning and get my bloodwork done.

Waking up this morning!

I woke up at about 7:30 this morning and Graem was still sleeping so I laid back down and watched her sleep. She's so silent and perfect.

A few minutes later I had to make a run for the bathroom because I had to pee so bad! When I came back at 8:15am Graem was upstairs in bed and looked pretty grouchy.

We came downstairs and once again - she wanted eggs!

So, eggs it is!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

If were were rich...

We would want to have a house in a sunny place!

Obviously, here in Ithaca, NY our relator of choice is Mary Stoe. If we ever wanted to buy a house I'm pretty sure she'd be the person we'd contact.

However, if we wanted to buy a house in sunny Orlando we'd have to look for an Orlando Real Estate Agent!

Property values in Orlando are always hot and it's a very good investment. Margot's dad owns a house in Miami and already the value since he purchased it a few years ago has increased drastically.

Check out Orlando-Buyersagent.com for great information on Real Estate agents in the Orlando, Florida area.

Too busy on my day off!

Today was quite the busy day - even though I didn't have Grammy! I got a lot done and was able to have a mixture of fun in between.

Tomorrow I have a physical therapy appointment and I also have to go to my cardiologist appointment at 1:00pm.

It's always a trip taking Grammy to my appointments cause I have no idea how she's going to do! Sometimes she's a perfect little angel and other times she drives me crazy.

Hopefully, she won't make my blood pressure go too high during my appointment!

OH CHIP!

I love playing cards! In fact, when we went to Vegas I didn't do too shabby. Too bad we had Grammy with us! I felt bad for having Margot and Graem walk around the casino as I was busy gambling!

A few years ago we had a game night and our friends brought out their poker table and chips. The chips they had were ordinary and it didn't seem like there were enough for everyone.

I think for the next party our friends Mary and Elise should invest in some personalized poker chips. Mary's a real estate agent so she'd love to see her face on the poker chips along with a catchy little real estate slogan!

E-PokerChips offers personalized poker chips at really good prices. I like the thicker clay chips because they make me feel like I'm in Vegas!

This post sponsored by: http://www.e-pokerchips.com

When I was a kid...

my grandmother owned a doll store. She made ceramic dolls from scratch and collected antique and collectible dolls.

I had around 200 dolls when I was younger. When I was a teenager my mother put all of the dolls in the attic where the very expensive Madame Alexander dolls melted in the hot Texas heat.

Begoths offers some great collectible dolls that are so original in style! They have character and they're not the "innoncent" baby dolls that I used to collect! These dolls are sassy and have attitude -- just like a little goth kid!

Check them out before it's too late. They've already sold out many of the styles but you can special order yours online now!

I need to de-stress!

Even though my life isn't overly stressful at this very moment it seems like when stress arises I don't handle it very well. I've talked to many people who do stress relieving exercises such a yoga or pilates and it seems like they are so happy and find such peace.

Pranayama, Breathing Exercises explained through YogaWiz. YogaWiz is a great resources for those looking for enlightenment and ways to release negative energy.

I've thought about taking up yoga for some time to relax and "let go." After visiting YogaWiz I think I'm going to try some of the breathing exercises at home!

This post sponsored by: YogaWiz.com

Starbucks.

So, I was sitting in the Starbucks waiting to meet up with my friend Diane. Can you believe they aren't wired for high speed wireless?

So, now I'm sneaking my ass into the Hilton next door and acting like a patron of the hotel.

It's actually pretty nice here as I sit next to the fire with classical music in the background sipping on my venti cup of starbucks coffee.

Oh, to be a stay at home mother minus the kids.

Looks like plans have changed...

Due to L&L having Rainbow Connection at their church we have decided to have The Social Committee Saturday instead of Friday.

It's a good thing cause typically Friday's are crazy and by the time all is said and done we are all exhausted and not too much fun.

I hope our crowd doesn't get too rowdy Saturday. God knows, the T-Burg police don't want to make an appearance at our house!

Oh perfect!

We've been talking lately about the perfect get away. Some place that is kid friendly but has great beaches. We've tossed around the idea of the Caribbean and Key West but neither of them seems kid friendly.

One place that seems to be just what we're looking for is Kissimmee, Florida! They have sun, beaches, and amusement parks all in one place! Kissimmee hotels are at an all time discounted price to try to get new tourists like us to visit too!

Where else can we go to find 52 theme parks and great beaches 40 minutes away?

Sounds perfect to me!

What a day...

This morning we woke up, got dressed, and I dropped the keys off at the mechanics. Last night when we went to drop the keys and the car off we realized that the drop box for the keys was a mailbox and you could reach your hand in there and get the keys out.

So, with our better judgement we decided to play it safe than sorry and drop the keys off this morning!

I also picked up Dunkin' Donuts for Grammy's teachers. They are always so nice to us and we just love them to death.

Went to buy stuff at Target.

Then I went for the infamous Melissa Massage! It was amazing.

She also referred me to a massage therapist professor that does Mayan Massage. It's suppose to be a special massage that actually helps promote blood flow in the uterus, tips the uterus a little and help with infertility.

I'm going to give her a call and see if I can get some treatments when I we do the upcoming IVF.

At this point I'm ready to do voo-doo or witchcraft - if that's what it takes!

Today's shopping expedition!

Today I went to Target with a handful of coupons that I was able to cut out of the newspaper this past weekend when we were in the hospital. The great thing was that we received 4 different coupon fliers in the newspaper with the same coupons!

So, I purchased tons of toiletries mostly items that I had coupons for. I was able to get away with only purchasing one item when the coupon asked for two. I even slipped in a few extra coupons too!

My grand total before coupons came to $199.29 - after coupons $122.83.

Now that's some savings! Of course, the 10 people behind me in line kept giving me this death glare.

But who gives --- I saved $77!!!

Mark your calendar, Baby Graem!

Graem hasn't done too bad over the past couple of years when it comes to Mothers Day Gifts. She tends to get us nice cards and then takes us out for Thai Cuisine Sunday Dim Sum.

This year, however, she might look into getting us some flowers from DotFlowers! They have great bouquets and also offer gift baskets too. Their flowers are always fresh and tend to come from a local florist.

Their website is so easy to order from that she can even place an order by herself!

The girl's got taste is all I can say. Thank God, she got that from me!

Yikes!

When I lived in Texas there was a huge scare in our neighborhood because houses were found to have mold growing in the walls. Not only were people becoming very sick but there were even deaths involved.

As a parent and a homeowner it might be a wise decision to have mold testing done on our house. The three of us all have allergies and so if they were to detect mold - the sooner better for us!

New Jersey Mold Company has a very organized and informative website that offers information on mold. They also have news clips on different stories that covered stories of mold.

If you suspect you have mold -- get it check out sooner than later. It could save you thousands of dollars in the long run - not to mention the health and safety of your family.

This post sponsored by: http://www.advancedmolddog.com

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

God bless America!

This is the life. Laying in bed, watching American Idol and I'm so full of King Buffet I can barely move.

I'm quite disappointed in the men tonight on American Idol. They all sound horrible and I can't really imagine any one of them making it big! The girls suck too.

So, I'm not sure if this is going to remain one of my favorite shows after tonight. I might have to move Grey's Anatomy into that slot.

Edited: The fat guy with curly hair just sung. He's damn good and I hope he wins.

Tired of dating people who don't love your kids?

I thank God every day that I have a supportive and loving partner to help me raise our daughter. I know it's hard for single parents to meet their soulmates when trying to raise young children.

We have a friend who has an infant. She's single by choice and got pregnant on her own through artificial insemination. But I'm sure at times she's very lonely. Due to the fact that she's the only caregiver for her daughter -- she just doesn't have the time to meet new people.

SingleMomandDads.com offers a great website and it's easy to use. One thing that I can appreciate is that it has a great search engine that allows you to search through 1,000s of profiles. I also love the fact that you can be a woman searching for another woman or a man searching for a man. THANK YOU for being gay friendly.

This post sponsored by: http://www.singlemomsanddads.com

Disney!

We've seen tons of commercials on the television lately promoting Disney and each time we think that it's going to be a blast when Graem gets older and we can take her!

We went a few years ago with Margot's Uncle and Aunt and had such a great time! They had tickets to Disney and MGM so fortunately we didn't have to pay for them.

When we go though, I'm sure we can probably get discounted Disney Tickets through OrlandoFunTickets. They have great information on the Orlando area including accomodation information and great hints to make your trip to Disney more enjoyable!

Not to mention -- they offer tons of coupons and savings for Disney, restaurants, and other destinations in the Orlando area.

This website could save you tons on your trip to see Mickey and Minnie!

MASSAGE TOMORROW

I'm so excited that Margot mentioned getting a massage! I wanted to so bad but just hate spending the money. This morning I called my favorite girl, Melissa and she only had one opening tomorrow.

11:15 - 12:15. Works perfectly! I'll drop Graem off at daycare, head over to Target to pick up some goodies and use my coupons, then I'll go for my massage!

Of course then I'll have to come home and bust balls blogging to pay for my massage...but I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts.

One short hour.

So pretty...

It's so damn cold outside but very pretty. The snow is a nice layer of white on everything and the sky is blue! If the snow wasn't out there you'd think it was a nice summer day. Until of course you stepped outside and was hit by the negative 15 degree windchill!

DOH!

That's why I like sitting my ass on the couch so much. I don't want to get sick or god forbid frostbite!

I have a love/hate relationship with credit cards!

We have about 10 credit cards and lately since we've started paying off all of the balances we have considered closing the cards that had high interest rates and did not have incentives.

The way we see it...our credit is fabulous and there's no reason why the credit card companies shouldn't be giving us goodies!

Instant Credit Cards offers a service to match you to the perfect credit card for your spending trends. You can actually view many different types of cards and see the features and benefits each offers and decides which one is going to be the "perfect card."

If you're looking for great credit cards out there -- check out CardFusion.com!

Now, if we could just find a card that you don't have to pay back?!?!

Weekend, where are you?

Even though it's only Tuesday there's already an email floating around about this weekends social committee meeting. It looks like the festivities will be at the Chiuten-Black house and will include chili from Jen and we will be providing the Carvel Birthday Cake.

The dinner and dessert will be followed by a couple of L-Words - then we'll probably all pass out on the floor after a long week for us all!

What could be better than that?

Another night of eatting out!

Well, it looks like we're going for the King Buffet tonight! This is like the 6th night that we've eaten out. No complaints on this end.

You know me... I love my food!

Tonight's excuse for going out to dinner is that we have to drop my car off at the mechanics and we won't be done with that til later. Also, I have to stop by Wegmans and pick up some groceries.

The fun never stops!

I wish I had...

a business credit card when I started my business! It would have really helped to have been able to pay off the expenses over a few months. Not to mention, it would have been easier for our accountant to sort out our finances when tax time came around!

Fortunate for us though, we had a little bit of cash stashed away so that we could pay for my business start up.

CardFusion is a great website to check out. They offer education about credit cards and also allow you to apply online for instant credit!

Maybe it was for the best that I didn't do a credit card starting out --- God knows, I'd still be paying it off!

Uh oh...Only one T&J

Grammy's favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry. Unfortunately, it looks like I've erased all of the T&J's with the exception of one!

God knows we've already watched that one about 10 times today.

I've gotta find a way to get more T&J in this house. I can't take the same episode over and over again!!

Baby awake!

So much for my nice, extended lunch break! Graem went down at approx. 1:30 for her daily nap and it is 3:30 now and she is awake!

What ever happened to her 3 hour naps? I want my baby back!!!

More than likely I'll have to do my "work" tomorrow when she's at daycare.

Of course, that's after my massage with my favorite, Melissa.

I'm a popular person, darnit!

So the newest question on the internet if you are a blogger or someone trying to promote a website is how do you increase link popularity?

Google search engine assigns websites what they call a Page Rank. Supposedly it's this wild formula and it tells you how popular your website is. This website is ranked as a two and our other Tale of Two Mamas ranks as a 1.

I'm not sure I get it because when it was ranked as a 2 it had only been up and running for close to 45 days and our other website has quite the following and has been up and running for years!

One way to increase your website exposure is building connections. Become part of online communities and also become part of friendly groups that exchange links on websites.

It's all pretty easy to do, not to mention, you might even make some friends out of it!

Blogging machine.

So, Blogitive is back up and running after being down for a few weeks, coming back up and being buggy, and going back down again!

I have over 50 offers reserved and I have no friggin' clue how I'm going to get them all done!

The good thing is...I'm making some major cash!

Sperm.

Well, we've gone back and forth and it looks like we're going to be going with using Margot's brother as our sperm donor for this upcoming IVF cycle.

I had to research it because in NJ they make you quarantine the sperm for 6 months and that's just a pain in the ass.

So, we're going to go with our local Fertility Center. Den has to get tested within 7 days of my egg retrieval. He also has to "release" 2 days prior to donating. I guess if he keeps the boys for too long they become duds and die off.

He's going to probably get most of the testing done in NY. The good thing is that I think his insurance will cover the STD testing that needs to be done so we'll probably just pick up the co-pays.

Of course, when he's here for the procedure the least we can do is buy him a few meals right?!?!

I love a good discount!

We do love the rebates and coupons–I finally purchased the USB hard drive I’ve been talking about for two months or so, and wish I had had a coupon. Ebates.com is an online portal that has rebates, cash back offers and coupons for use on hundreds of online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Target, Staples, Gap.com, Nordstrom, and Circuit City. Rebates and cash back offers vary from 5% to 25%, so on a large purchase, that can make a difference!

For the socially-conscious folks among us, Ebates now has a charitable giving program for rebates. Being that it’s almost the end of the fiscal year, this might be a good way to make up the charitable giving we’ve all put off for the entire year. It’s money you would have spent anyway, so it won’t be missed.

My responsible wife.

Last night we were sitting down in the living room and Margot was going through the finances. With my blogging and subbing we seem to be doing pretty good.

So, she decided (after asking me of course) to open me up a Roth IRA. I've gotten behind on my retirement because we pulled mine out in order for me to stay home with Graem but also to pay off our infertility medical costs.

So now I'm back to having a retirement. Woo Woo!

How can you retire from being retired?

Eat outs galore.

Lately, we've gone out almost every night for dinner. Margot's been working mad hours and we have absolutely nothing to eat in our fridge. Tonight I have to drop my car off at the mechanics and once again we probably won't be getting back home til later.

Which means it's probably going to be Chinese buffet night!

The good thing about it is that we don't have to ever go grocery shopping again. The bad thing of course is that we're spending some of the extra money that Margot's making by staying late.

Maybe I'll just cook up the chicken we picked up last night! I want a new washing machine and a vacation with that money!!!

Looking for a hot Russian mama?

Margot and I met online over ten years ago! It was quite the experience and one that I think was perfect for both of us.

When I met Margot her dad was dating a Russian lady that he had met in New York City. She was actually one of his patients and he had done plastic surgery on her. She was an exotic dancer!

Ten years later, Dr. Chiuten and Gala are happily in a relationship!

Russian girls make very devoted spouses and the relationship really works for a lot of people. LoversPlanet offers a great website that has profiles of women located in Russia. Many of the women are bright, educated, and beautiful!

Through LoversPlanet you can actually check out the women's profiles, see their pictures, and write them messages!

If you're looking for that special someone and haven't met them yet...check out the internet!

I lied again.

I know I said that I was going to keep on my medicine yadda yadda. Well, last night I didn't. And tonight, why start back up?

There's absolutely no hope for a positive at this point and if for some oddball reason it was a positive it'd be a weak pregnancy that would just end in miscarriage or a chemical anyway.

So, I officially stopped meds last night and we'll see how long it takes for me to get my period. I've actually had AF like cramps for the past few days. I think it'll probably come any day now.

Then of course, we start the damn shots all over again. Joy.

The day after...

Despite having drunk two beers last night I feel pretty damn good today! I'm not too sad over my negative and I'm ready to move forward. I guess you could say I have a new sense of hope.

Of course, they haven't submitted the approval for IVF to my insurance company yet. God knows those bastards could make up more excuses not to cover me.

When we went in a few weeks ago Dr. K said that some insurances will not cover Infertility if you have a miscarriage because they see that as "hope" and make you start all over again with their requirement.

Bullshit on that! If that happens...I'm going to Judge Waphner and the People's Court. Hmm...he might be dead by now!

Need help getting started?

When I started my business two years ago Margot and I spent endless hours coming up with a whole marketing scheme, website, and print collateral. It was very time consuming and I just assumed that it would cost too much to hire the job out professional.

That's before I thought of going through freelance illustrators. They offer a website that outsources your businesses programming, design, websites, writing, consulting, and many other tasks. The whole idea is that each specialist bids on the job and you end up the winner with the lowest cost estimate.

It sounds like a win-win situation to me - not to mention it could save you time and money in the long run!

Taking care of your family.

On a day to day basis we always think of ways to take care of our family. We financially make sure everything is taken care of, we buy clothes to keep ourself warm, and food to keep our bodies healthy.

Very few times we think about what will happen if we are no longer around.

We have most recently increased our insurance policies. Since I stay home and Margot supports our family we figured that her life insurance should be increased to cover our expenses if anything were to happen to her.

One website that offers great information on life insurance is FinancialOne.

Since Margot's in perfect health she is eligible for no-medical life insurance. Since I have a pacemaker and am overweight I'm not eligible for that program but I am eligible for the non-smoker's life insurance.

All in all, it's good to know that if you aren't around financially your family will be taken care of. The important part is to shop around and make sure that you get the best policy for the most reasonable cost.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Just trying to keep warm!

We have natural gas as a heating source for our house but what we've realized is that it's so expensive to heat the house. Also, even when we heat the house it doesn't seem to heat the upstairs very well.

We've actually started using kerosene heaters in our house. It's much cheaper and we can target where and when we want the heat. For example, if I'm downstairs in the living room with Graem then we use the heater in the living room. At night we just use the heater upstairs in the bedroom.

Desatech has a great selection of space heaters, kerosene heaters and other heating accessories. Their website is clear and concise and easy to use. I like the fact that they offer information and pictures on all of their products. Plus, they offer free shipping!

This post sponsored by: Desatech.com

Nothing that a good brew can't take care of.

Tonight when Margot got home we went to the Roadhouse Cafe in Trumansburg. It was a great experience. When Margot got home we went to Save A Lot to pick up my wallet and to get some groceries.

Then we ventured to the restaurant. I had the French Dip and Margot had the tuna. Both were very good and there was a lot of food. We didn't realize it but the guy that used to be a cook at The Falls is the owner of Roadhouse. No wonder the food was so good.

I was glad to get my hands on one of the delicious Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beers on draft. Okay, so I had two. But they were perfect!

Listen here!

When we were traveling this summer to Las Vegas we came across this great website and actually ended up booking our accommodations online.

The whole idea is that VLBO offers vacation rentals by owner. The website is easy to navigate and easy to find a place to stay.

When we looked on the website we were able to find a 3 bedroom house, fully furnished, with a pool--rented by the week! It sounded like a great deal at the time--we were going to join up with a bunch of friends from both the left coast and the east coast, and split up among three or four couples, $1200/week didn't sound too bad! Unfortunately our lame friends backed out at the last minute, so we didn't actually get to stay at this awesome place. Maybe next time...

This post sponsored by: VLBO.com

Don't leave the couch!

That's my philosophy and as a stay at home mom I'm always looking for ways to make money while staying home with the baby.

Two years ago when I decided to resign from my job I never would have thought we would be able to survive with me working out of the house!

You can work at home too! Whydowork.com offers some great information and job sources for people that would like to stay at home and work. There are tons of hoaxes out there and get-rich-quick ideas that only cost you money and time.

WhyDoWork provides people with options and it's all free! Sign up now and enjoy it all: kids, family, and pay your bills too!

Negative.

Well, I got the call and my pregnancy test came back negative. All I can say is "shit."

I knew it was going to be negative and I think that helps...but I still feel sad.

I can only look forward and become excited about the next step which is IVF and using Margot's brother as our donor. That was our original plan years ago and it just didn't work out.

Now, we actually get to try it at a different stage in our lives.

I think for now though...I'll stay sad. It's not as easy to move on these days.

Plus, they want me to stay on my meds for the next 2 days and go back in for another blood test. I'm going to stick with it. Cause at this point what's 4 more shots? I've done over 100 already and I'd hate to really screw things up by not following doctor's orders.

The perfect credit card...

is the credit card that you never have to pay back!

Unfortunately, I learned about credit card debt at a young age! When I was in college I signed up for every card that offered a free t-shirt. I didn't realize that you actually had to pay the money back until I had a job and kept getting bills!

Over the past ten years I've been able to pay the debt off but at one point we considered doing a secured debt consolidation loan. Some of the cards that I had were nailing me with finance charges of over 22 percent!

I finally got smart and transferred most of my balances over to cards that offered 0% interest for a year.

For people that aren't as fortunate The UKPersonalLoanStore offers some great information on paying back debt. They allow you search over 200 lenders who might help you with a secured consolidation loan. The website is easy to use and the sign up form is on the front page of their website.



If you're unable to stay afloat with high credit card charges -- then do the smart thing and seek help with loan consolidation.

Looking for the perfect credit card?

We have about 10 credit cards and lately since we've started paying off all of the balances we have considered closing the cards that had high interest rates and did not have incentives.

The way we see it...our credit is fabulous and there's no reason why the credit card companies shouldn't be giving us goodies!

Instant Credit Cards offers a service to match you to the perfect credit card for your spending trends. You can actually view many different types of cards and see the features and benefits each offers and decides which one is going to be the "perfect card."

If you're looking for the best credit cards out there -- check out CardFusion.com!

Now, if we could just find a card that you don't have to pay back?!?!

How darn cute.

A few minutes ago Graem had lined up all of her stuffed animals including: duck, Pablo, Tyrone, and baby and was reading them the "Baby Einstein: Babies" book.

Too darn cute! Okay, I forgive her for all of the bad behavior!

Not enough time!

I feel like I'm in a constant rush to get everything done. Especially today! I have to go to the hospital for my blood draw, take Graem to her doctors appointment, get groceries, and stop by the bank.

I think more than likely I'll get the doctor's appointment and the blood draw done...other than that...it's not looking too good!

We need a break.

This has already been one hell of a year. We've lost a baby and now Margot's dad's been diagnosed with cancer.

We really need a vacation. I'd love an all inclusive Caribbean vacation offered through Vacation Resort International.

It feels like over the past few months we've been focused so much on getting pregnant and having a baby that we've forgot about being kind to ourselves and just taking a needed break and getting away!

I'd love to go somewhere sunny that has cold drinks and a warm beach and of course daycare for Grammy!

When we went to the Caribbean it was so much fun and we loved the hotel, food, fun, beach, and all the fun water stuff available.

Vacation Resort International offers some great all-inclusive vacations at savings of up to 50% off!

The girl.

Graem seems to be doing much better. She's been crawling all over me this morning and aside from a coughing episode earlier this morning she seems to be doing much better.

She's been asking where Mommy is a lot today. She says "Mommy come home." I tell her she'll come home this afternoon.

12DPO or CD26

So today's the big day. I peed on a stick early this morning and of course it was negative. So I'm pretty sure it's going to be a big fat negative for me.

I'm pretty bummed...but I just hope that I can get my period soon and start up IVF.

Upward and onward right?

Good Ole' Charles Brown.

I've always made it priority to get my teeth cleaned and checked every 6 months. I have a pretty good dentist and really nice dental hygenist.

However, if I lived in Alexandria I wouldn't have access to Dr. Gardner and Chris and I'd probably have to switch over to another fine doctor.

I've heard great things about Hayfield Dental Care. Most recently Margot's brother talked about his experience with Charles Brown DDS PC.

Dr. Brown has preformed thousands of procedures including crowns, root canals, and surgical procedures. So I'm sure he could probably handle my simple cleaning and x-ray every 6 months!

Something that's very important to me and speaks volumes of Dr. Brown as a dentist is that he has ZERO complaints with the Virginia Board of Dentistry. That's absolutely amazing!

Charles Brown has received numerous awards locally and even as a Resident.

Another great thing about Hayfield Dental Care is that they are accepting new patients and also open to emergency situations.

Give them a call and remember that you only have one set of adult teeth - so take care of them!

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Get your groove on!

Margot and I met online so I'm quite fond of the whole idea! Of course, that was ten years ago and there weren't nearly as many weirdos online.

Just look at us? Okay...don't.

One online dating service that I've heard great things about is JustSayHi. It's absolutely free and they never ask for your credit card information! Many services that offer the same types of features charge close to $30 per month!

That's money that could be spent on a date!!

The one thing that's great about online dating is if the person is CRAZY - you can ignore them and never have to see them again. Unless, of course...you've given them your information and they stalk you.

San Fran here we come!

We are thinking about making a trip to Los Angeles staying with Alex and Dom for a few days and then going to San Francisco for Margot's ASLA conference.

All of this takes place in October and we were going to make plans, however, with not knowing if I was going to be pregnant or not we wanted to make sure that I wasn't 9 months pregnant and traveling!

It'd be so nice if Margot used San Francisco Flower Delivery and had a nice bouquet of flowers or a gift basket delivered to our room! They also deliver chocolates and balloons too! The website is easy to use and makes ordering a piece of cake!

Too much work. Not enough fun.

Margot's been working like mad lately. I miss having a normal life where she's home for the weekends and we just sit back and enjoy. I constantly feel anxious because I know that she has to go into work.

So it seems like even when she's home I feel a total disconnect because I feel like she's just going to leave.

It seems like so much has happened the past few weeks and months. We just really need a break...whether it's good news, for me to find out I'm pregnant, or a vacation.

It's got to get better than this.

We need a vacation.

After this most recent trip to the hospital with Graem ... we really need a break! What better way to do that than to bask on the beaches of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has beautiful beaches and is located between Turkey and Romania. The travel is economical and it's absolutely beautiful land.

More than likely we would stay at an all inclusive resort because we like to be pampered on vacation without having to worry about the tab!

However, at some point it might make sense to look into Bansko Properties if we decided to make Bulgaria a frequent vacationing destination.

This post sponsored by: BulgarianVenture.com

Another negative test.

This morning I tested again and it's negative. Shit.

I guess this cycle's a bust. I'd be surprised if my beta came back positive. I know it can happen...but I'm not holding out much hope.

I really don't understand how that *couldn't have* worked. Everything seemed perfect and I had tons of eggs. The sperm specimen was perfect.

This is damn frustrating. I just wish I had answers as to what's wrong with me? Once again I feel like my body sucks and it has let me down.

In fact, I feel menstral cramps and I keep thinking that my period has started.

The good thing is...I don't feel bloated and I'm hoping I can jump right into IVF if I get my period fast.

I'll call the fertility center tomorrow and get more information and my beta results.

I found it!

We have relatives and friends that live in Dallas and I'm constantly trying to find the perfect gift for Christmas and Birthdays!

Dallas Flower Delivery might be what I'm looking for! They offer flower, chocolate, balloons, and gift basket delivery.

Who doesn't like chocolates!?!

This post sponsored by: DigitalFlowers.com

Looking for the best?

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It's important to have an attorney that specializes in the law that you need in order for you to receive top notch attention. At Paglialunga & Harris they focus 100% on personal injury.

They take your case seriously and provide many options for contact including a toll free phone number or a contact form online and they will call you.

If you've been injured and are experiencing pain or neglect - get help. Seek legal assistance from the best.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Seriously...vacation.

Our friends just got back from their Italy vacation and we talked to them the other night. They had a fabulous time and did the whole touristy thing with the Italian Restaurants and coffee shops. They also did the museums and other sights.

One thing that I remember my friend telling me is that property in Italy always does amazing! Many times it's from dumb Americans who think that they can go to Italy, buy real estate and make money on tourists.

Other times it's because people want a vacation home and what better place than in the heart of Italy!

This post sponsored by: http://www.italianventure.co.uk/

Poor kid.

Grammy seems so wiped out the past few days. Poor kid goes down for a nap and she doesn't move for almost 3 straight hours. She coughs in her sleep and I just can't seem to put her down cause she wants to be held.

I hope she gets better. I hate it when I feel I can't do anything to help her or make her feel better.

Seattle?

We just saw a cool travel special the other night on "Seattle." They did a weekend in Seattle and hit all of the hot spots including bars, restaurants, and clubs. The food looked amazing and the atmosphere seemed a lot like Ithaca.

Of course when we travel we like to wine and dine. With that said it'd probably make sense to contact the Seattle Flower Shop! That way we can have a fruit basket, flowers, and chocolates waiting in hour hotel room.

This post sponsored by: http://www.digitalflowers.com/

I'm a liar.

Okay, so when I was home yesterday I peed on a stick! I must admit! Of course, I was busted by Margot today. She read the blog entry from either yesterday or this morning and said she knew that I had peed on a stick.

Not quite sure how she knew...she did!

The test was of course - negative.

I've been having some menstral cramping today and I had sore nipples last night.

I'm just trying to stay positive and know that last time I thought it was a bust and it worked. So it's not like there are any "real signs" of early pregnancy.

Now, if those damn tests would just show positive...I'd feel a lot better about this whole thing!

I always get gypped!

We renewed our Verizon plan last year and we had a $100 phone credit and so I decided to get a new phone. I went with the Pink Motorola RAZR and ended up spending about $150 out of pocket for the phone.

It seems like the day after I end up buying something full price -- it ends up going on sale the next week! Funny how that works?

Of course, Margot got stuck with her old Audiovox phone from 2 years ago.

Over the past year my Motorola RAZR hasn't been the greatest phone. I think I only use 1/2 of the features, the speakerphone isn't that great, and I've already been through one battery!

Margot's cheap Audiovox phone is perfect! It still flips perfectly, works great, and keeps a charge!

I just read a promotion from Wirefly and Verizon that Verizon phones are now on sale!!

In fact, the Motorola RAZR and the LG Chocolate are both free with purchase of a Verizon contract!

My friend Jen has a LG Chocolate and it's a pretty cool phone. I like the slide feature compared to the flip feature. I also like the green color that it comes in!

Why do I always miss out on the killer deals? Maybe, when we go to renew our contract next March they'll have free I-Phones!

Wishful thinking?

This post sponsored by: Wirefly

10DPO or CD 24

Well, I can't say that I have any symptoms at all except for sore boobs last night. I don't have any twitching, pulling, tugging, or digging in going on in my uterus.

I also don't have any hyperstimulation symptoms. I know it's still early...but I expected it to kick in by now.

I'm not doing a HPT because the ones that I have are not the early tests and I'm afraid that they'll show up negative --- even if it were positive.

So, I'll go for my HCG beta blood test Monday.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Finally, an upscale flip flop!

I've never been much of a flip-flop wearer because my mother used to wear them - EVERYWHERE - and I think it lost all of it's appeal for me!

However, I've finally come across Rainbow Sandals! They appear to be a more attractive and upscale flip-flop that I think would be appropriate to wear out of the house.

I like the fact that they offer earth tones and not crazy, loud colors! Also, these sandals seem to have an added arch support - where the old school sandals used to always hurt my arches!

You can find these cool sandals at active-sandals.com. They offer some great deals and free shipping over $75!

Summer, here we come!

This post sponsored by: http://www.active-sandals.com/

There is one good thing...

about being in the hospital and that's the food! Last night I had a chicken wrap which was alright, delicious mashed potatoes and gravy and this TO DIE FOR - Chocolate Lovin' Pie. Delish.

Today, I had pancakes and bacon for breakfast. For lunch I had the fried haddock and rice. The fish was really good and beer battered.

I guess another good thing about being here instead of home is that I'm not around the home pregnancy tests - and I don't have access to them up here at the hospital!

Sun, where art thou?

I'm so ready for summer to get here! Every year I make it a priority to buy a new pair of sandals. I've been through Birkenstocks, Tevas, Chacos, and this year I'm thinking about getting a pair of Reef Sandals. I like the flip-flop styles and they come in some great colors too!

They have a great selection of sandals at Active-Sandals.com. In fact, on the front page they offer a pair of Keen Sandals that are almost half price and offer shipping on orders over $75.

Maybe getting a new pair of sandals will bring hope that someday the sun will come back to Upstate, New York.

This post sponsored by: http://www.active-sandals.com/

Not feeling the love...

So, I'm not feeling what I think I should be feeling if I were in fact pregnant. I should have bloating and all around feeling like poo. Basically, the whole idea is that when you hyperstimulate it is caused from too much estrogen, too many eggs, and then the introduction of HCG.

Well, if I'm not pregnant then I'm not producing HCG...and that's what would cause me to feel sick again.

Crap.

I go Monday for my HCG beta test. I was informed Thursday that our doctor will be out of the office on vacation so if I want to do vacation I'm going to either have to wait a month or maybe even a do another IUI in between.

Of course, that might not even be an option if I am in fact pregnant...or ... my ovaries are too enlarged and cystic to move forward so quickly.

Damn.

Check out the hottest 100

Russian Brides out there! When I was younger we had a neighbor who met his wife through a penpal service.

He went over to Russia, picked her up, and they were married in the United States. We always said that it was a "mutual agreement" because this guy who wouldn't have a chance with American women now had this beautiful Russian Mail Order Bride!

Now, LoversPlanet.com has made it easier to meet Russian women! You can even check out the hottest 100 Russian Brides! These are most wanted people on the web and the women most in demand by the readers of LoversPlanet!

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Where to start...

Yesterday we got home from Dr. Kiltz and Graem crashed on the couch for nap. When she woke up at 3:00pm she was gasping for breath and really having a hard time breathing. I called the Pediatricians and they said to come in.

When I got there I met with Dr. S since Dr. C was with a patient. He listened to Graem's lungs and said she had pnemonia and also gave her an albuteral breathing treatment. When we left there we went to get her prescriptions filled at the pharmacy. I looked back and realized that she was doing the same thing and gasping for breath.

So, I tried to pick up her drugs and they said that they never got called in. So, I picked up my meds and then we immediately went to the ER. There we waited most of the night and finally got admitted. They have been giving Graem her albuteral treatments throughout the night.

This morning the doctor came to check in on her and would like for her to stay one more night - just as a precaution so that she can be monitored.

I just want to sleep in my own bed and not in this little 8x8 room!!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Looking for a hot Russian Bride?

Margot and I met online over ten years ago! It was quite the experience and one that I think was perfect for both of us.

When I met Margot her dad was dating a Russian lady that he had met in New York City. She was actually one of his patients and he had done plastic surgery on her. She was an exotic dancer!

Ten years later, Dr. Chiuten and Gala are happily in a relationship!

Russian Brides make very devoted spouses and the relationship really works for a lot of people. LoversPlanet offers a great website that has profiles of women located in Russia. Many of the women are bright, educated, and beautiful!

Through LoversPlanet you can actually check out the women's profiles, see their pictures, and write them messages!

If you're looking for that special someone and haven't met them yet...check out the internet!

This post sponsored by: LoversPlanet.com

Burning up...

I don't know what to do at this point. Graem is still so hot and I'm sure she's running a fever. I've given her Tylenol in hopes that it will break the fever...but it hasn't yet and it's been almost 3 hours.

Maybe I'll just call the doctor...

Just yesterday...

I purchased some clothes from Gymboree.com for Graem and I hopped online to find coupons! I was able to get 20% off and even free shipping! So I purchased 6 pairs of pants, and 5 tops for a little over $100!

I love online coupons and I make sure to bookmark the good coupon sites! One website that never lets me down is CouponChief. They have great coupons and savings from stores like Target, Joann Fabrics, Kohls, Overstock and many others.

We constantly buy items from Overstock.com and just recently I used OverStocks' coupon for 7% off your total order.

The best part about this website is that it is well maintained and you won't see a lot of expired or broken coupons and links!

Make sure to check it out --- you won't believe the savings you will get!

This post sponsored by: CouponChief.com

Sick girl.

The other day we got the call from daycare saying Graem was sick and crying for Margot. So I left my comfy chair at the local coffee shop where I had set up camp to do some blogging and went to pick her up!

We headed to Target to pick up some medicine and I could tell she was running a fever. We also ended up picking up a Backyardigans puzzle, an Elmo toothbrush, mouthwash, Elmo and Backyardigan bandaids (for me), and some chocolate mints.

After shopping Grammy seemed to be doing much (as most of us do after shopping). Later in the night after watching American Idol we realized that she was feeling warm. We took her temp and it was at 100.3.

Today she's been super crabby and running a temp. I haven't taken it...but she feels like she's burning up. I just keep giving her tylenol and robitussin for her cough.

I've already cancelled my subbing gig for tomorrow...but I hope she feels better soon. I hate it when I know she's uncomfortable and I can't do anything about it.

Great deals!

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for great deals and coupons! I love saving money and that's really why I'm able to stay at home with Graem. We live pretty frugally these days.

In fact, I've gotten to the point if I can't get the item on sale...I just will not buy it.

Grande Portal is your portal to great values!


They offer savings on Housewares, Toys, Hardware, Sporting Goods and tons of other items! The website is easy to navigate and you can find almost anything there. My favorite part of course --- it's affordable!

One item that really caught my eye is their Indoor/Outdoor Stair Treads that actually glow in the dark! Our friends Laura and Lydia have the darkest outside stairs and every time we leave their house we almost kill ourselves! We've talked about how we should pick them up some lights --- but these treads would be absolutely perfect!




They also offer "Buy now, pay later" options for verified buyers.

This post sponsored by: http://www.grandeportal.com/

8DPO or CD22

Today I went to the Fertility Center just to have a basic check up and to check my hyperstimulation. They wanted to make sure that my ovaries were looking good, my lining looked thick, and my blood levels were good.

The blood levels showed that I had a high (in the normal range) thyroid level. So they are putting me on synthyroid. I need to research this more and I don't know if that has any real affect on all of my infertility stuff...but I'm glad that they tested for it.

They also said that my lining looked great and my progesterone was 38 which is great!

My HCG beta came back at 2! So, I don't know if there is some of the HCG shot left in my system from when I did it 10 days ago or if this is the start of me being pregnant?

I'm staying optimistic though and I really feel pretty good about this.

Of course, I would really appreciate some more symptoms and maybe my OHSS coming back a little bit more!

The next few days will be telling.

As far as symptoms last night I had super sensitive nipples and I was exhausted. But I'm pretty sure that my tiredness was due to Margot keeping me up the night before with her snoring.

I'm going to probably do a home pregnancy test Saturday and Sunday and I'll cross my fingers that I'll get a positive!!!
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